Generation Orbit Launch Services

Generation Orbit Launch Services, Inc. (GO) is an aerospace company developing a dedicated nanosatellite launch system that utilizes an air launch to orbit approach. GO was founded in April 2011 and is based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Overview

Generation Orbit (GO), based in Atlanta, GA, is currently developing an air launch system specifically for nanosatellites.^[1][2][3][4] GO competed in the 2013 NewSpace Business Plan Competition (BPC), winning first place and the $100,000 prize.^[5] The BPC was administered by the Space Frontier Foundation and held at Stanford University. In September 2013, GO was selected for NASA’s Enabling eXploration and Technology (NEXT) contract, with an award of $2.1 million.^[6] Under NEXT, GO will launch a group of three 3U CubeSat payloads to a 425 km orbit. The launch is scheduled to take place in 2016.^{[7][8][9][10][11][12]}

GO-FET (Flight Experiments Testbed)

GO-FET is a captive carry test platform for avionics, spacecraft hardware, fluids experiments, CubeSats, nanosats, and pre-release flight maneuver testing. The GO-FET configuration uses a Learjet 35 aircraft platform and was first flown on July 30, 2014.^[13][14]

GOLauncher 1

GOLauncher 1 is an air launched single stage suborbital rocket vehicle. Its purpose is to provide access to high altitudes for microgravity, astrophysics, and hypersonics testing and research. The first two segments of the GOLauncher 1 Inert Test Article (GO1-ITA) underwent a series of successful structural ground tests at Mercer University’s Engineering Research Center (MERC) in December 2013.^[15] In July, 2014, GO was awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory, Aerospace Systems Directorate (AFRL/RQ) for development of GOLauncher 1. The nine-month effort worth $150,000 will focus on requirements definition, configuration trade studies, and trajectory design space exploration.^{[16][17][18][19]}

GOLauncher 2

GOLauncher 2 is an air launched two stage orbital rocket system. By combining a business jet with expendable rocket stages, GOLauncher 2 is capable of placing small payloads of up to 100 pounds into Low Earth Orbit. GOLauncher 2 successfully passed it Systems Requirements Review in January 2014, enabling GO to continue with the next phase of its development.

Partners

GO has partnered with the following organizations:

• SpaceWorks Enterprises, Inc.
• Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) .^[20]
• Ventions
• Tyvak
• Calspan
• Phoenix Air Group
• TacAir
• Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute
• The Inman Company^[21]
• Cecil Spaceport^{[22][23][24][25][26][27][28]}

The combined experience of these companies covers a wide range of activities and development efforts, including, space systems design, life cycle cost analysis, business case development, upper stage development, testing, and manufacturing, and flight systems and ground operations.

References

External links

• SpaceNews Profile; Anthony J. "A.J." Piplica, Chief Operating Officer, Generation Orbit Launch Services Inc.